Mix-up your Breakfast Routine

So many of us get stuck in a routine before work or school and find ourselves having the same old thing for breakfast each morning. Breakfast is one of my favorite meals and there are so many new healthy and quick options these days. Here are some of my new favorites alternatives/new products I have found to replace my daily green smoothie if you have a few extra minutes in the morning or they can be perfect weekend brunch options:

-Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Oatmeal: I am a huge fan of this product. Purely Elizabeth created oatmeal that is made out of many different whole grains and SuperFoods. My favorite flavor is the 6 grain. The 6 grain includes: quinoa, millet, buckwheat, amaranth, kaniwa, hemp, flax and chia. You bring it to a boil and then let simmer on the stove for about 10-15 minutes with almond or coconut milk. The best part is what you can put on the top; berries, nuts, granola, shredded coconut, figs, almond/coconut butter and cinnamon. It is so delicious and can be made in a variety of ways when you get creative with your toppings. This is a great way to start your day with a hearty serving of grains, protein and fiber. These products are great because there is no sugar added, they are certified organic, vegan, and gluten free so they can satisfy a wide audience. Purely Elizabeth also makes delicious granolas and gluten free baking mixes. Check out her website and products at your local Whole Foods Market or Target store. [www.purelyelizabeth.com]

-Fall Recipe Remix: Add half the amount of almond/coconut milk and substitute the other half with ½ cup of 100% pure pumpkin puree, top with pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.

-Papaya Boats: This breakfast trend I can thank one of my favorite nutrition bloggers; Nutrition Stripped [www.nutritionstripped.com] for. This health blogger has come up with so many variations of making these amazing treats. This requires a little time to make but is well worth it! The concept is simple; split the papaya in half and scrape out the seeds in the middle. This creates your two “bowls”. Fill each with greek, icelandic skyr, or any other type of yogurt. Then comes the best part; cover with as many toppings of your choice. Some of my favorite toppings are berries, figs, coconut butter, almond butter, banana slices, avocado chunks, hemp or chia seeds, and crumbled nuts. Once you are finished filling your two bowls, grab a spoon and enjoy! Make sure to scrape some papaya into each bite!